Work in Progress: Orangeness

This week’s bead tray is looking neat and tidy, since I’m right between projects. I’ve just finished up a new ring duo that I couldn’t wait to complete. I had a sudden brainstorm for candy corn palettes that just had to be made. I had been planning on doing both rings in the same pattern, but with the colors reversed. Unfortunately, my orange and yellow beads are slightly different sizes than the black and white. So I had to change my plan and go with stripes for the second piece, and it turned out to be my favorite of the two.

I’m still taking a quick break from the Egyptian gods series to make a new herringbone bracelet. This is another one of those Ideas - out of nowhere I had a vision of a giraffe pattern bordered by tropical green and orange. I didn’t have quite the right colors to make it happen, so I’m going with black and white zebra stripes instead. Should be fun!

Last week’s collar is finished and ready to enter the shop. I ended up leaving out the emerald green and finished the inside row with black. It worked out well, since the Czech seed beads provide a small variety of sizes and I could choose the ones that I needed to get the right shape.

What are you working on this week?

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
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September Bead Stash Favorites

From the year’s first falling leaves to fresh new boxes of crayons, September is a month that is full of color. This month, my favorites beads are no different. Bold colors and unique shapes are calling to me whenever I browse through my stash.

I’m working on some prototypes for new necklaces this month, trying out some really cool materials and taking my designs in a different direction. These large African Christmas Beads from Happy Mango Beads are coming in really handy. No matter what I’m working on, these colorful and classic looking beads always cheer me up.

I’ve been including natural beads into my work more and more lately, so when I spied this strand of zebra pearls on sale at Auntie’s Beads, I couldn’t resist. Nothing beats stripes when you want to add a little personality to beadwork, and the red wine color is perfect for fall. I'm picturing these pearls with some olive green and squash orange, perhaps.

Last but certainly not least, I finally got around to trying out some new tagua shapes. These donut slices from Lima Beads are simply gorgeous. They have the smooth, lightweight feel that I love about tagua, and the shape is very inspiring. When it comes to tagua beads, I find that I’m especially drawn to the unique cuts that show off the original shape and texture of the nuts, rather than traditional bead shapes. These pieces have lots of personality.

Are you excited about a new bead style this month? What have you been working with?

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
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Work in Progress: Mummy Collar

This week I’m working on a new ‘traditional’ netted collar, using a palette inspired by the Egyptian god Osiris. I’m on my third attempt at getting the right pattern, and finally things are moving forward.

Originally, I had wanted to create a pattern within the white and beige sections to mimic overlapping linen wrappings, but couldn’t get things to flow the way I wanted. In the end, I decided to make these sections wide, and split the remaining colors into halves instead. So far I’m happy with the results.

This piece will put the new collar technique to the test again, as this time I’m using beads of all the same size and shape, with the exception of some emerald Japanese seed beads that I hope to use in the final row. Next the plan is to tackle some shaped netting and more complex patterns.

What are you working on this week?

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
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Embellished Ombre Herringbone Cuff Tutorial

There’s nothing quite like a beaded cuff to show off the marvel of tiny seed beads. With the right combination of colors and stitches, you can have a bold and beautiful bracelet that fits like fabric. The only thing that can make a beadwork cuff even better is the addition of some choice accent beads.

This project combines the visual appeal of an ombre palette with the added texture and delight of disc bead accents. We’ll also explore an easy way to attach clasps to beadwork that can be applied to a variety of stitches.

Materials:

11/o seed beads in 6 colors
4 or more 6-8 mm disc beads
4 or more flat heishi beads or 8/o seed beads
Beading thread
A button or toggle (beaded or purchased)

To make an ombre herringbone cuff:

Start by arranging your seed bead colors from dark to light, or warm to cool. You can use 6 different shades of one color, or blend from one color to another. Try placing your bead packages in different positions until you get a pattern that is has a pleasing ombre look.

I like to start herringbone weave with a two-bead ladder, but you can also start with a single-bead ladder, or use the Ndebele technique. Check out the Twisted Tubular Herringbone Tutorial for full instructions on making a two-bead ladder.

Begin with 3 columns of each color in your chosen pattern, so that you have 18 columns in all. Step up to begin the first row of herringbone weave: stitch up through the bead next to where your thread is exiting, and up through the last bead in the top of the ladder.

Pick up two seed beads - making sure that they match the first and second columns below - and stitch down into the first bead next to where you thread is exiting. Pull snug so that the beads lock into place side-by-side. Stitch up through the next bead in the row below and pull tight.

Continue adding two beads at a time, matching them to the pattern, until you reach the end of the row. Remember to step up through the following base bead at the end of each stitch. You can work in whichever direction is most comfortable for you.

After adding the final bead pair, pull the thread snug, and then step up to start the next row: Stitch up through the bead next to the one that your thread is exiting, then up through the last bead added in the previous row. Pull tight, and flip the beadwork over.

Continue adding rows of herringbone weave until the beadwork reaches the desired length, adding new thread as needed. You’ll need to allow a bit of length for the clasp - about half an inch or 1.5 cm. The clasp will overlap, so the final length is adjustable.

Once the final row is added, you can cinch up the beadwork so that both ends match: stitch a dummy row by following the herringbone thread path, but without picking up any beads. Step up through the second column from the end, and stitch up and down the top two rows to connect the remaining columns together. There should now be threads between each of the beads along the edge. Weave in your threads and trim.

Add the bracelet clasp:

Secure a new length of thread in the beadwork, near one end. (If desired, add straight fringes to the edge of the beadwork using two or more beads of matching colors.) Exit from the 8th column, and pick up enough seed beads to form a loop that will fit your clasp. Stitch down into the beadwork through the 11th column and pull snug.

Retrace the thread path through the seed bead loop at least once more to strengthen. Continue adding fringes to the edge is desired, then weave in your thread and trim.

Secure a new length of thread at the opposite end. Test the length of the bracelet, and determine where you would like the second half of your clasp to rest. Count back 3 beads, and exit from one of the center 2 columns at this point.

Pick up 3 matching seed beads, your clasp, and 3 beads to match the corresponding column in the cuff. Stitch into the beadwork, then retrace the thread path at least once more to secure the clasp. Add fringes to this side of the cuff, then weave in your thread and trim.

Embellish the cuff:

Arrange your disc beads on the cuff in a pattern you like. Take a picture or make a quick sketch if necessary. You can also add embellishments freeform for an organic look.

Secure a new length of thread near the point where you would like to add the first disc. Make sure that you are working from the same side as your button or toggle, so that the accents will face out! Weave through the beadwork and exit from your start point. Pick up one disc bead, one heishi or 8/o bead, and one seed bead to match the closest row in the cuff.

Skipping the seed bead, pass through the larger two beads, and through the cuff below. Pull snug, making sure that there is no slack thread in the stack of accent beads. Pass through 2 seed beads from the underside of the beadwork, then two beads in an adjoining row - follow the herringbone thread path.

Pass the needle between the beads, being careful not to snag any threads, and pass up through your accents. Stitch through the top seed bead, then back through the accents and into the beadwork again. Continue reinforcing the stitch until the accent beads are secure, then weave through the cuff until you’ve reached the next area where you would like to place a disc

Continue adding your accents, adding thread as needed. Weave in your threads, and you’re done!

There are so many fun color and pattern possibilities for this project. If you make a variation, share it on Facebook - I’d love to see what you come up with!

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
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Book Spotlight: Felt, Fabric, and Fiber Jewelry

As unique materials go - that is, non-bead ones - fabric is one of the most interesting. With its adaptability and wide range of patterns, colors, and textures, the design possibilties are just as exciting as they are endless. Unlike beads, fabrics can be dyed, cut, sewn, and embellished in almost any way imaginable, allowing beaders to create jewelry that is truly one of a kind.

In Felt, Fabric, and Fiber Jewelry,jewelry artist Sherri Haab explores some of the most appealing ways to use these materials. As expected, she begins with helpful explanations of all the materials and tools needed to get started, which are beautifully illustrated with new and vintage examples of each product. Just flipping through the beginning of the book is bound to provide lots of exciting ideas. Then it’s on to the enticing projects, with six chapters focusing on general techniques.

The No-Sew chapter features projects that are perfect for beginners, providing a way to get to know the materials and see how they fit into jewelry design. Each of the following chapters - Sewing and Quilting, Embroidery and Appliqué, Felting, Knotting and Braiding, and Crochet - are filled with exciting ideas for necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Sherri has created many easy pieces that can be adapted for both jewelry and art projects, inspired by some classic techniques not often seen in jewelry design. Each project features a full materials list and step-by-step photographs to guide readers through the process of turning fibers into fantastic jewelry.

If you’re the kind of beader that sees the potential for jewelry in everyday things, Felt, Fabric, and Fiber Jewelry can provide a wealth of inspiration and instruction.

Copyright 2013 Inspirational Beading
Sherri Haab and Watson-Guptill Publications
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